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Year 8 - English

Exploring Maya Angelou's 'On Aging'

Single poet study: Maya Angelou

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils read and discover the work of Maya Angelou. They explore some of Angelou's most famous poems, such as 'Caged Bird' and 'Still I Rise', and practise writing and performing poems inspired by her work. As the unit develops, pupils find their own distinctive poetic voice.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explore Maya Angelou's 'On Aging', with a focus on how she creates a complex voice through her poetic structures.

Key Notes

  • 'On Aging' was first published in Maya Angelou's 1978 collection of poems, 'And Still I Rise'.
  • In 'On Aging', the speaker admits that she has many of the stereotypical signs of aging in a self-deprecating way.
  • Although the speaker admits to getting older, she rejects sympathy and help.
  • Angelou's use of commands and her sentence structures help create a defiant voice.
  • Arguably, the poem has a wider message about not judging others by their age or appearance.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • stereotype: a simple, general view of a particular category of people
  • defiant: boldly disobedient
  • self-deprecating: critical of yourself, often using humour

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • The speaker in 'On Aging' doesn't think aging affects you.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

'On Aging' was first published in Maya Angelou's 1978 collection of poems, 'And Still I Rise'. In 'On Aging', the speaker admits that she has many of the stereotypical signs of aging in a self-deprecating way.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'stereotype'

a simple, general view of a particular category of people.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: The speaker in 'On Aging' doesn't think aging affects you. Correction: The speaker lists some of the things that happen to you physically when you get older - she faces the reality. However, what she does want to change are people's reactions and perceptions of what these changes mean.

More Lessons In This Unit

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